THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL FRANKFURTER MESSE ASIA' GETS 13,800 TRADE VISITORS

Furniture World Magazine

The seventh 'International Frankfurter Messe Asia', took place at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Ariake, Tokyo Big Sight, June 25-27, 1997. This year's show achieved better results in all respects than in previous years. Thus, the consumer-goods fair has cemented it's place in the Japanese trade-fair industry and has shown that brand-name European products and new, design-oriented innovations from abroad have good chances in the Japanese market. Over 13,800 trade visitors from 36 countries, a five percent increase over last year, took advantage of this consumer goods and design fair to make business contacts and to discover the latest trends in the 'Table Time', 'Living Time' and 'Present Time' product segments. After Japan, which was represented by more than 12,900 buyers, the largest visitor groups came from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Of the over 13,800 total trade visitors, 46 percent came from the wholesale trade, import and trading industries, followed by 27 percent from retail trade and 13 percent from the processing industry. The overwhelming majority of exhibitors were highly satisfied with the fair, as well as the contacts made and orders taken. A lively business atmosphere and the receptiveness of the Japanese market to European consumer goods ensured satisfied expressions on the faces of the 270 exhibitors from 23 countries, more than 90 percent of whom came from Europe. The latest trends in the porcelain, ceramic, glass, housewares, table linen, interior furnishings, gifts, arts and crafts and jewelry segments were appropriately grouped in the 'Table Time', 'Living Time' and 'Present Time' thematic bundles. Visitors showed particular interest in those manufactures who came to Tokyo with new and trendy ideas. Exhibitors were also highly satisfied with the national participation from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Portugal and Great Britain. The special shows of the fair were given a warm reception by visitors. They included the 'Trends '97' presentation of new products where, in an exclusive setting, the spotlight was thrown on exhibitor products being shown in Japan for the first time. Also popular was the 'German Arts and Crafts' special show. The next 'Internationale Frankfurter Messe Asia' will be, as in the past, officially supported by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Manufactured Imports Promotion Organization (MIPRO). The show will be held once again in the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Ariake from June 24-26, 1998.